Therapeutic riding program humbles, heals local veteran

A pair of custom-made boots sits on a saddle at J.L. Mercer Boots in San Angelo. The boots were presented to local veteran Scott Morris, a participant in the Sonrisas Trails Therapeutic Riding Program.(Photo: Matthew McDaniel/Standard-Times)Buy Photo

SAN ANGELO — Vietnam veteran Scott Morris isn’t one to allow a fuss, especially over himself, but he stepped outside his comfort zone Friday to help direct attention to a program he said has made a big difference in his life.

Morris’ family and several friends of Sonrisas Trails Therapeutic Riding gathered downtown, where he was presented with a pair of J.L. Mercer Boots custom-made by Kyle Brock and donated by Brandon K. Moore following the Boots, Buckles and Pearls fundraiser for Sonrisas in April.

“I never thought I would own a pair of boots like these,” Morris told the group. “When they told me I had been selected to receive this gift, I tried to tell them that there were more deserving guys than me. … But they are so pretty, and I’m truly honored and humbled by the gesture. … I’m almost afraid to wear them.”

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San Angelo veteran Scott Morris, who is a participant in the Sonrisas Trails Therapeutic Riding Program, tries on a pair of custom-made J.L. Mercer boots.(Photo: Matthew McDaniel/Standard-Times)

Morris and his wife, Shirley, have five children and 10 grandchildren and have lived in San Angelo for about 25 years.

Morris, 63, works for Hirschfeld Steel, driving between Lubbock and Atlanta, and he said he goes riding as often as he can.

“They have special times set up for veterans,” he said. “So if I’m in town, I try and go out to see Rusty and maybe go for a ride, but sometimes I just go out and brush him. … We’re good friends, but I get a little jealous if I see someone else with him.”

After brief introductory remarks by Sonrisas Public Relations Director Mary Coffey, Morris spoke about the importance of the program, speaking candidly about some of the challenges he faced after his time in the service, and crediting his time with Rusty for making him a little more comfortable in the world.

“Everybody has their own issues,” he said. “There was a time that I was not the nicest guy. … I had problems with people, and I still do. … But this has helped me with that."

Morris told the group briefly about his time in the service, working on Titan II missile systems in the Air Force.

Morris said after his service he had a lot of survivor’s guilt to work through, along with other problems faced by veterans in every generation.

"I had to get rid of my guilt," he said. "Some people didn't make it back, but I did, and I have to believe that God had something else in store for me."

Morris said he feels the Sonrisas program is a perfect example of the spirit of cooperation West Texas is known for.

"I grew up as a military brat," he said. "And that's one of the reasons I live here. ... We stick together — this is a place where people still wave at one another going down the street, and I hope that never changes."

The veterans program at Sonrisas began with five inaugural riders, including Morris, and has since been expanded to almost 10 participants.

Morris said he would definitely recommend the program to other local veterans.

“It’s special time out there, where I don’t have to worry about anything else in the world – it’s just me and Rusty – and I’m OK when I’m out there.”

“This has been totally unforeseen,” he said of his progress through the program. “It’s hard for me to explain exactly what I get out of it, but it gives me tools to help me deal with the world.”